Advanced
skill rating
Online Garden Tools
Useful videos
Polystichum munitum (Sword fern)
2 hours care
per year
per year
1.2m
Max height
Max height
1.2m
Max spread
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Polystichum munitum
Other names
Sword fern, Western sword fern, Aspidium munitum, Polystichum munitum var. incisoserratum, Aspidium munitum var. incisoserratum, Polystichum solitarium, Dryopteris munita
Genus
Polystichum Polystichum
Species
P. munitum - P. munitum is a vigorous, clump-forming, evergreen fern with erect, narrowly lance-shaped, dark green fronds divided into broadly linear pinnae, hairy at the margins.
Polystichum munitum is: Evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
Insignificant or absent in All seasons
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
General care
Pruning
Remove dead or damaged fronds as needed.
Propagation methods
Division, Spores
Sign up for your FREE ACCOUNT today or login to receive detailed monthly care instructions
Where to grow
Polystichum munitum (Sword fern) will reach a height of 1.2m and a spread of 1.2m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Foliage only, Low Maintenance, Underplanting, Waterside, Wildflower, Woodland
Cultivation
Will perform best in cool, fertile, acidic, shaded soils. Do not allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Protect crowns from excessive winter wet.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade
Aspect
North, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Polystichum munitum
Other names
Sword fern, Western sword fern, Aspidium munitum, Polystichum munitum var. incisoserratum, Aspidium munitum var. incisoserratum, Polystichum solitarium, Dryopteris munita
Genus
Polystichum Polystichum
Species
P. munitum - P. munitum is a vigorous, clump-forming, evergreen fern with erect, narrowly lance-shaped, dark green fronds divided into broadly linear pinnae, hairy at the margins.
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Create your free Shoot garden
Create your free SHOOT garden and make a record of the plants in your garden.
Add your own photos, notes, get monthly email reminders on how to care for your plants, and connect with other gardeners. Get started now.
Colour
Flower
Insignificant or absent in All seasons
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
General care
Pruning
Remove dead or damaged fronds as needed.
Propagation methods
Division, Spores
Monthly care advice
Get access to monthly care advice
Create a free SHOOT account and get instant access to expert care advice for this and other plants in your garden.
You'll also receive handy monthly email reminders of what needs doing. Create your free account.
Where to grow
Polystichum munitum (Sword fern) will reach a height of 1.2m and a spread of 1.2m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Foliage only, Low Maintenance, Underplanting, Waterside, Wildflower, Woodland
Cultivation
Will perform best in cool, fertile, acidic, shaded soils. Do not allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Protect crowns from excessive winter wet.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade
Aspect
North, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Shade | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
GARDENS WITH THIS PLANT
ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT
Urquhart & Hunt’s Rewilding Britain garden at Chelsea Flower Show reveals the key role that beavers play as ecosystem engineers in landscape restoration. Landscape designers Urquhart… read more
Designed by garden designer Helen Elks-Smith MSGD. Traditional with a contemporary twist, this garden located on the outskirts of London is designed for relaxed family living and informal… read more
My beautiful Oxfordshire garden was revitalised with the help of Mark Griffiths. Sheltered by old walls and high fences, the garden that surrounds my North Oxford home covers about 750 square metres. read more
By garden designer Darren Hawkes. The pioneering charity Maggie’s whose groundbreaking Cancer Caring Centres have revolutionised the concept of therapeutic gardens, is bringing its first Show… read more
Morgan Stanley is returning to Chelsea Flower Show for a third consecutive year with ‘The Morgan Stanley Garden’ designed by Chris Beardshaw. read more
Report content or feedback to Shoot
To add ? to your lists,
login to your account or subscribe.
Find out more about plant lists here
or Login
To add notes for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To add images for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To check if this plant is suitable for your garden first login to your account or subscribe.
or Login